The best places for Street Art in London

Last Updated on 14. January 2019

London has a big and active Street Art scene which also attracts many international artists. All over London there are areas which are known for good pieces of urban art. But where exactly are the best places for Street Art in London? Where to go when you have little time but want to see many different artists? Join me on a walk to the London hotspots of Street Art!

Table of Contents

Street Art on Brick Lane

In the East End of London, around Brick Lane and its side streets, there are so many pieces of Street Art in entrances of houses and backyards, in small streets and in tunnels, even on the shutters of the shops. Colourful drawings, stencils and mosaics, even some three-dimensional pieces. Start your tour at “Aldgate East” Station and explore Brick Lane from there. Come early in the morning if you want to see the works on the closed shutters of the shops.

: Street Art Mix (Sclater Street, London)

: “Future Tokyo” Street Art by Dan Kitchener (Pedley Street, London)

: “Follow the Leader” by Fanakapan (Hanbury Street,London)

: Work by RIP Artist in London

: Paste-Ups by Stenandoli & RIP artist (Brick Lane, London)

: “Couple holding hands” by Stik (Princelet Street, London)

On the wall of the former brewery – the Truman brewery – admire the huge heron by ROA that has been there for years. Admired both by locals and tourists it has become one of the Street Art icons of that area.

: Street Art (by ROA) Truman Brewery

Shok-1 has been painting his x-ray art on the gate of the brewery for years. After “Elvis, the Pelvis”, the “Broken heart” is the latest work.

: “Broken Heart” by Shok-1 (Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London)

Shoreditch – hipster area with a lot of Street Art

Shoreditch is pretty close to Brick Lane. The area is alternative and relaxed but also very hip. Not only will you find galleries and startups but also the pop-up mall “Boxpark”. In former shipping containers you can buy clothes, cosmetics, accessories and food. In the evenings there is often live music.

And then there is lots of Street Art. Again: keep your eyes open, look into backyards, change your perspective and look up at houses.

: Street Art Statue by Jonesy (Shoreditch, London)

: “Let’s adore and endure each other” Village Underground, London

: Street Art by Thierry Noir (Rivington Street, Shoreditch, London)

To me, the work of Borondo at the window of the “Bull in a China shop” is quite unique. The Spanish artist engraved people into the glass and then highlighted with a white colour. Something different that demonstrates his talents.

: Street Art on Glass – by Borondo (Bull in a China shop Pub, Shoreditch, London)

Several artists at one spot can be found in the garden von Cargo Nightclub in Rivington Street. Not only Otto Schade and Christian Guémy aka C215 have left their marks here. There is also a real Banksy, his “Designated Graffiti Area”.

: Designated Graffiti Area by Banksy (Rivington Street, London)

On the walls around citizenM Hotel Shoreditch there are huge murals that change regularly.

London’s North for Street Art in Camden

Camden is another hotspot for Street Art. If you enjoy walking, leave the tube at “Mornington Cresent” and start walking towards “Camden High Street”. Keep your eyes open and find beautiful pieces on walls, in backyards and entrances. Also visit some of the parallel streets to High Street as some of the good pieces ones are hidden there.

: Amy Winehouse Street Art Trail in Camden (Artist: Filth)

: Street Art in Camden by Danilo Machin (Jamestown Road, London)

: Street Art in Camden by Otto Schade a Rhino

This area is also where the nine stops of the “Amy Street Art” trail opened in March 2017 to honour Amy Winehouse (who lived in Camden).

: Street Art Camden Pegaus (The Earl of Camden Pub)

More info about the trail and its art and the accompanying exhibition at the Jewish museum can be found in the blog posts “Amy Winehouse Street Art Trail” and “Amy Winehouse exhibition and Street Art at the Jewish museum“.

Along Camden High Street and close to Camden Lock Market you will find more art.

Street Art in the Leake Street Tunnel (Banksy Tunnel)

“Leake Street Tunnel” is underneath Waterloo Station. Yes, that’s right. Underneath the big station there are vaults and tunnels which were discovered by street artists. New artists can paint here and develop their skills. Their work normally doesn’t stay for too long and the light is not that great either, but chances are good to see artists at work.

: “Leake Street Tunnel” in London

While you are here, why not visit the “House of Vans”?! Do some skating or have a burger, visit an exhibition or watch a movie.

For the evenings – perhaps a visit at “The Vaults“? Event Location, theatre, bar – all in one place underneath Waterloo Station.

Sometimes, the tunnel is called “Banksy Tunnel” as Banksy had the “Cans Festival” down here in 2008 and the tunnel got sprayed for the first time.

Street Art in Penge

Not only Central London offers good artists working on the streets. Penge, in the South-East of London, has the Penge Street Art Trail which brings international artists to the area.

Street Art in Croydon

In Croydon, in the South of London, there is an active Street Art scene, as well. The latests works and an interactive map can be found on the page of Croydon Street Art.

This post is also available in: Deutsch